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Utomi Seeks More Investments In ICT

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Founder, Centre for Value
Leadership, Lagos, Prof. Pat Utomi, has stressed the need for the Nigerian government to explore the advantages of ICT to leapfrog the nation’s economy.
He said this on Tuesday in Abuja in a keynote address he presented at the e-Nigeria 2013 national conference.
The conference, with the theme “Local Content in ICT in Nigeria: The Journey so Far’’, was organised by the National Information Technology Development (NITDA).
Utomi said that if the country must move forward, the government should invest in the development of ICT and explore the benefits of ICT to develop its economy.
“Development is a very important thing for our country; it is no doubt that unless we leapfrog development we could be challenged.
“We are in a position where we can either reap the huge demographic dividend from our population or be challenged by it.
“Information and communication present us a great opportunity to leapfrog,’’ said Utomi, who is also the co-founder, Lagos Business School.
He urged the Ministry of Communication Technology to collaborate with the Manpower Board to deal with the education agenda in the use of ICT to boost productivity.
“If Nigeria will get far in its development, the nature of policies of admission into institutions of higher learning needed to change.
“For too long, we have encouraged people to see going to university as just going to get certificate.
“Once you have the certificate you are entitled to a living. Until we change this perception we will continue to be challenged,’’ he said.
Utomi explained that Nigeria’s local content in ICT should not be seen as replacement or displacement of ICT applications but the values of what Nigerians could offer the industry.
“What we need to sustain rapid economic development is strong institutions, good policies, human capital development, good leadership and the spirit of entrepreneurship,’’ he said.
He called for seamless engagement of the private sector in the development of ICT, and urged the government to take the lead in buying local ICT products, especially software.
The chairman of the ocassion, Sen. Iya Abubakar, criticised the indiscriminate importation of computer software into Nigeria.
He said the importation of N100 billion worth of software annually into the country would lead to exportation of jobs and capital flight.
Abubakar urged the government to provide the necessary infrastructure, like electricity, establishment of ICT incubator centres and offer computer courses to boost the ICT sector.
“To achieve the goal of local content in ICT development, the government should focus on Nigerian youths.
“The youths should be target for ICT advancement and should also be exposed to entrepreneurship,’’ he said.

Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on ICT, Engr. Goodliffe Nmekini (right), chatting with Executive Director, Keeping It Real Foundation, Mrs Bitebo Gogo, during the  donation of computers to some partners of the state government in  Abuloma, recently. Photo: Egberi A. Sampson.

Special Adviser to the Rivers State Governor on ICT, Engr. Goodliffe Nmekini (right), chatting with Executive Director, Keeping It Real Foundation, Mrs Bitebo Gogo, during the donation of computers to some partners of the state government in Abuloma, recently.
Photo: Egberi A. Sampson.

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Firm Unveils Digital Solutions For Cooperatives

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A subsidiary outfit of First Registrars Firm, the Cle Digital Services Limited, has launched a digital solution for cooperative societies in the country.
Business Manager of Clé Digital Services Limited, Oladipupo Olabisi, at the launch in Lagos, revealed that the product, Clé Cooperative Management Solution, was a revolutionary digital platform, professionally designed to streamline cooperative management and enhance members’ engagement.
He said, “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey as we introduce a groundbreaking digital platform designed to transform the way cooperative organisations operate and engage with their members.
“The Clé Coop Solution represents the culmination of extensive research, development, and collaboration with cooperative communities around the world.
“From multipurpose societies to housing cooperatives and agricultural cooperatives, the Clé Coop Solution empowers cooperatives of all sizes to efficiently manage their operations, communicate with members, and foster collaboration”.
Highlighting the economic and environmental significance of cooperative societies, Olabisi explained that with significant investment committed to the development of the product, members of cooperative societies, particularly administrators and executives, would have robust experience.

The business Manager added, “We also understand the challenges that many cooperatives face in navigating complex operational tasks and effectively communicating with their members.

“To this end, Clé Coop Solution is a step ahead of other platforms, as it also offers more than just cooperative management services. Members of cooperative societies can have access to a number of value-added services, such as the CLE market hub, discounts on specific products and services and much more.

“Finally, I want to reiterate our firm belief in the power of cooperation and technology to drive positive changes in the world. With the Clé Cooperative Solution, we are not just launching a product; we are embarking on a journey to empower cooperatives and create a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for all”.

A Director with the Lagos State Government Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Co-operatives, represented by the Surulere Cooperatives Area Coordinator, Mr Akin Adekunle, commended the launch of the software to address specific challenges of cooperative societies.

He charged the organisation not to limit the use of the cooperative solution to the elite cooperatives but to other categories, as society was replete with various types of cooperatives.

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AI, Key To Business Profitability – NAICOM

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The Commissioner for Insurance/CEO, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Sunday Thomas, has said artificial intelligence (AI) is key to the future of insurance business in Nigeria.
He, therefore, urged insurance operators to increase adoption in this area, saying it gives better productivity and enhanced profitability, while ensuring quick service delivery and claims payment to insurance consumers.
Thomas stated this while delivering a keynote address at the 8th BusinessToday annual conference & exhibition with the theme, “The World of AI: How Insurance and Pension Sectors Can Explore Opportunities for Market Penetration”, in Lagos.
Thomas, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Lagos Office of NAICOM, Ajibola Olabisi Bankole, said Technology adoption is part of the 10-year roadmap of the insurance industry, and that NAICOM, as a regulator, will continue to evolve policies that will engender the growth of the industry, increase penetration and contribute to the nation’s GDP.
Earlier in his Goodwill message, Chairman of the conference, who is also the Chairman of NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart, noted the level of insurance penetration in Nigeria when benchmarked with the global penetration, saying that a lot of factors were responsible for the increase in penetration level.
He said lack of or low enforcement is affecting the adoption of compulsory insurances, adding that the industry is working assiduously to partner agencies responsible for enforcement to increase insurance adoption.
“It is quite saddening that out of a population of 200 million, only about  three million people are actually insured. Lack of enforcement is a challenge but the industry is working round the clock to increase enforcement through the regulatory and enforcement bodies.
“Consumers’ apathy due to bad experience they had in the past is affecting policy renewals, but I can assure Nigerians that there are various complaint avenues for people to lodge complaints.
“If your legitimate claims are not settled, you can approach Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA) and NAICOM; if your complaints are genuine, they will be definitely resolved”, he assured.
The President, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Mr. Edwin Igbiti, said the growing insurance industry will require that the nation’s economy be derisked, while seeking partnership with government  and other stakeholders to deepen insurance penetration.
He stated that AI will increase insurance premium growth, enhance service delivery, and ensure that the insurance sector contributes more to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP).

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Bank Unveils Upgraded Mobile App

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The Stanbic IBTC Bank, a subsidiary of Stanbic IBTC Holdings, has unveiled an enhanced version of its mobile app which was optimised specifically for businesses.
Head of Partnerships at Stanbic IBTC Bank, Omolara Osunsoko, in her opening remarks at the event in Lagos said the enhanced mobile app offers a range of new features designed to streamline and simplify digital banking for business owners.
She said, “The solutions added to the app will help business owners transact whilst on the go. This cutting-edge offering exemplifies our dedication to innovation, convenience and growth in our digital space. It underscores our promise to continually enhance our services”.
According to Osunsoko, the enhanced mobile app for businesses provides a comprehensive suite of tools to manage finances efficiently.
“With an intuitive interface, users can execute transactions seamlessly, transfer funds between accounts, check real-time balances, and manage beneficiaries. The app offers instant access to transaction statements, self-service options, and security features to safeguard business operations”, she added.
The Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Bank,  Wole Adeniyi, remarked, “We are thrilled to introduce the enhanced Stanbic IBTC Mobile App tailored specifically for our business clients.
“Our goal is to provide businesses with a seamless and efficient platform to conduct their banking activities, including transactions, statement requests, transfers, and more, all from the convenience of their mobile devices.
“This app enhancement is a significant step in our ongoing efforts to simplify our banking processes and enhance the customer experience through technology.
“With robust security measures and a user-friendly interface, our business clients can now manage their finances more efficiently and confidently”.

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